Alvin Draft-Matic Drafting Pencil - 0.9 mm

I do love this color, as the others are great (really like the bright yellow for the 0.3mm as well), this one just looks great. Heres my review.


Pros:
Length - Not too short or long, works well.
Pipe Length - About standard, not enough to have me change my writing style to make it work.
Tip - Awesome, its on the longer side due to it part of the grip. Absolutely love the design of the tip, one of my favorites.
Grip - Favorite, well one of my favorite, knurling on this is fantastic, I would put it above the Rotring. I have some Alvins that the knurling is wearing down, but still gives a great grip when writing. Some might say its too aggressive, I say toughen up some. When you're writing for hours, taking down notes and jotting things down quickly, it wont slip out of your fingers. Also, I hvent had it unscrew but just a few times, but thats a rare occasion.
Body - Plastic, but strong, havent snapped it, not sure how other people snap it, if you're not using it as a pry bar then it shouldn't be a problem. Also, they're color coded so makes it easy when you pick it knowing what lead size they are. The girth of the grip is about right, wished it was a tad wider, but definitely better than most out there (Rotring 500, Pentel 205, etc.).
Lettering - Stands out nicely...
Clip - Has one, about standard, has turned on me really, havent bent mine either as I dont really use the clip, more there to keep it from rolling off the table.
Lead Indicator - Has one, which is a plus. Knurled as well, not that a lead indicator needs to be knurled, but sure does make it look nice.
Cap - Shiny, I dont take my cap off very much, really only to refill it...

Cons:
Lettering - It will wear off with lots of use, I have several that have worn off the body.
Lead Indicator - Biggest grip about these pencils is that its a crap shoot of whether the indicator will be stiff or not. This is the downside of buying online, I've had to go to a drafting store to replace a couple of these as the indicators become too loose, to the point that I wont know what lead softness is in them without first writing. Not a deal breaker, but worth noting.
Cap - This is another crap shoot, some are more better fitting than others. Again, this is a downside to buying online but not a total deal breaker as they do go into the pencil enough not to have fallen out while in use.

Overall:
Definitely get these, they are a little more pricey than others, but for what you're getting, its a damn good pencil. I mainly use these in my daily use. I have the 0.3mm, 0.5mm, 0.7mm, and the 0.9mm.

The Alvin Draftmatic 0.9mm is one of the best pencils ever produced, by any company.

This series (Alvin's line available in sizes 0.3mm, 0.5mm, 0.7mm, and 0.9mm) have become my favourite, even above Rotring 800s and Pentel Graphgears and Pro-use drafting pencils...

They are made to the highest levels of quality.

They have a solid click and precise lead advancement.

Solid weight and feel.

Metal-to-metal grip attachment... it does *not* screw onto plastic threading which is easy to strip.

Metal lead reservoir tube inside.

Solid knurled metal lead indicator dial at the eraser cap end.

Must be tried to be understood fully. It's quality and price do not correspond at all. It's worth 5 or 6 times as much, and I'd be happy to buy one at such a price, if I ever had to replace mine. But once you have one of these, you will likely never have to buy another one EVER, unless it gets stolen or you lose it, or if you want to bless your friend or brother or sister with one of these beautiful pencils. Really, they should last your entire life... they are such high quality.

The best. You will not be disappointed with an Alvin pencil.

This pencil is excellent. I'd consider it the value-version of the Rotring 600. The grip and tip and mechanisms are extremely similar. Although the barrel is plastic, it is heavy duty and feels extremely well built and solid in the hand.

I've done hours and hours of math and engineering homework with this pencil and it is a joy to use.

As a student I've enjoyed using this pencil for math, engineering, and other technical work. It's comfortable to write with and feels solid. I initially wanted to purchase a Rotring 600, but thought the price was a little high. When I saw this pencil, it seemed to me like this was a value-version of the 600. The tip design and grip is extremely similar. It's got great feel and great precision. I suspect the main difference is only in the plastic, smooth barrel. Alvin actually makes a pencil with the hexagonal body like the Rotrings but the top is not as solid as this one.

I would highly recommend it to those looking for a quality drafting pencil that has a solid tip for great precision and smooth writing. I've done hours and hours of homework with this pencil and carry it with me everywhere. I enjoy using it more than my Graphgear 1000, and the metal grip provides a nice contrast to my Pentel Smash. It feels like a quality pencil that will last.

I have used both the Alvin Draft-matic and the Rotring 600. Of course the weight of the Rotring is more substantial than that of the Alvin Draft-matic, however, I honestly have to say that I prefer the rough knurled grip of the Alvin Draft-matic. The Rotring 600's grip is also knurled, but it's markedly smoother to the touch - personally, I like the rougher grip.